Recent Headlines

Would an accusation that all members of Congress are corrupt get your attention?

I make that accusation. And because of that corruption, Congress fails to properly carry out its duties. It is probable that some members are corrupt in the old-fashioned sense and actually get payoffs; they know who they are. But I think most have been corrupted by the system.

Let's examine the facts. Congress is made up of people who mostly have been in their jobs for a long time. These people have become semi-
celebrities, appearing on TV and mentioned in the news frequently. How many times have you seen members pushing their way into TV range? They are treated differently from you and me once they get elected to Congress.

They go off to Washington to fancy offices, where large staffs do their every bidding. After their first day on the job, they are eligible for a wonderful retirement package, as well as health care perks not available to you and me. They are provided with expense accounts, restaurants, gymnasiums, special parking privileges, barbershops and automobiles, all at taxpayers' expense.

They get special attention when they fly, and they have more offices and staff provided for them in their districts. Now, they are even treated to more special health care benefits available to no one else. A little known benefit, but an important one, is their special treatment related to using insider information buying and selling stock. This is not available to anyone else. Is it any wonder these people think they are special?

I ask you, if you had all these wonderful benefits, wouldn't you do everything possible to retain them for as long as possible? Is it any wonder most of them do whatever it takes to be re-elected over and over again? All are members of a wonderful club and will not do anything to upset their fellow members. Once in a great while, a member like Sen. Ted Cruz defies the other members and gets crucified for it. More Ted Cruzes are needed to correct this abysmal situation.

We have reached a point where the situation is critical and can only be straightened out by legislation introduced by a maverick willing to challenge other members. It is my understanding that anyone can write legislation but only a member of Congress can introduce it.

Accordingly, I will attempt, one way or another, to reach a maverick and suggest legislation imposing term limits and demanding that all federal officials, whether elected or appointed, be subjected to the same programs that you and I, as ordinary citizens, are subjected to. We the people must get active now if we hope to save our democracy!